I bundled up and took a quick walk to the mailbox this evening, about a 1/4mile down the street, and spent some time contemplating. I thought about all of the 28 Christmas' I've shared with my family. All of the sacrifices that went into every present, every dinner, every EVERYTHING! I thought about my parents staying up all hours to get everything laid out just right so that when we got our "Santa" gifts, they would be perfect. I thought about calling Doug and Susu at the crack of dawn to get them over so that we could come out of our rooms and they could video tape it. I thought about sharing Christmas morning with my brother, the closest person I know to Buddy the Elf and how much fun he has around the holidays. I thought about mine and Liz's first few years of marriage making the long, but well-worth-it trip home to see everyone. I thought about caroling with my crazy family in our antlers and Santa hats. I also thought about my last Christmas'; my last Christmas with Grandma Sara, Paw-Paw Ham, Aunt Trish, Paw-Paw Ed. I thought about so many things...and then, as I was walking, I looked up and saw a bright star and immediately thought about firsts. About OUR first Christmas...and I wanted to share...
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel meaning 'God with us." Matthew 1:23
The beauty of Christmas to me is the reality that God didn't have to do what he did. He didn't have to be confined to the flesh and be born. He simply could have left everything as it was and avoided the pain. Or could he? You see, he could have let us be, but he didn't. He didn't because he made a promise. A promise to his people that he would provide a way for them. A way to shed the stain of sin and live freely, without blemish. You see, the birth of Jesus is so beautiful because it speaks so LOUDLY of God's love for his people. It was the ONLY way we could be made right. With his birth, we were given hope of a life free from sin and death. He came down to walk with us - how awesome is that!
One of my favorite Christmas songs was originally composed in the mid-1800's. O Holy Night is a beautiful song that builds as it recognizes our sinful state and how divine when Christ came to break the chains of sin and death that held us down. I encourage you to read the lyrics and think about Jesus' birth.
Oh Holy night the starts are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pinning
'Til he appeared and the soul felt it's worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night, divine Oh night, when Christ was born
Oh night, divine, Oh night, O Holy night
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name."
I had a realization tonight that this is my first Christmas as a father. You see, I've known this was coming since Matthew was born in August, but I guess it never settled in. I just went into Matthew's room and kissed him on the forehead and told him Merry Christmas. I know he doesn't understand it all, but this is his first Christmas. I think about all of the exciting years to come. Whereas my journey of childhood Christmas' are over, his are just beginning. However, I pray that in the middle of all of the presents and trees and lights and parties and caroling he comes to know the story of OUR first Christmas. I hope he comes to know the beauty of the birth of Jesus. I hope he accepts it as truth and lives freely in the promise that has been given. I hope you do as well.
Hear the good news, "Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Messiah, The Lord." God is with us so let's raise our voices and sing a song of praise. Better yet, live a life of praise. As the old story goes...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Merry Christmas everyone!
